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Plan to Get Out Alive
Fire Triangle
Three things must be present for a fire to start. They are:
Air.
Heat.
Fuel.
Air, heat and fuel are referred to as the fire triangle.
Remove any one
There are two elements you can control to prevent fires from starting in the first place. They are:
Heat.
Fuel.
Removing any one of these elements (Air, Heat or Fuel) will extinguish the fire. The fire MUST have all three elements to continue to burn.
Four facts
There are four facts you must know about fire.
Fire is black, it is not light. Expect not to see. The smoke will be so thick it blocks all the light.
The smoke will kill you. Mingled in the smoke is a deadly gas carbon monoxide (CO), which is odorless, colorless and acts as an anesthetic.
The heat of the fire is so intense it can kill you in seconds.
There is no time to think. Fire spreads rapidly. You must get out.
Close doors
It is important to remember that smoke rises and will seek its own path of least resistance, filling halls and stairways. Closed doors can slow the spread of smoke and help to contain a fire.
Other toxic gases
You should be aware that certain home furnishings, when burned, may produce toxic gases that are heavier than air.
These gases will be at floor level. You should crawl with your face at least one foot from the floor.
Smoke detectors
The best early warning device to alert you to a fire is a smoke
detector. You cannot smell smoke when you are asleep. The smoke
detector’s batteries should be changed at least every year.
The National Safety Council recommends that batteries be changed twice a year, when the time changes in the spring and fall.
Five steps
There are five steps you should follow in the event of fire.
Notify all persons in the building. Set off an alarm.
Evacuate the building. Follow the evacuation plan.
Contain the fire – close doors and windows as you evacuate.
Meet at a designated location.
Call the fire department from a neighbor’s phone. DO NOT go back into the burning building to call the fire department!
Kitchen Fire Safety tips
Extra care should be taken when working in the kitchen in order to avoid the onset of a fire. Here are some safety tips:
Wear appropriate clothing, and avoid the long, flowing sleeves and open, loose-fitting shirts that can easily come in contact with hot burners.
Wear your long hair up and do not leave any strands hanging.
Never take your eyes off hot oil because it can ignite in an instant. If it catches fire, immediately place a lid cover on the pan.
Kitchen Fire Safety tips
Extra care should be taken when working in the kitchen in order to avoid the onset of a fire. Here are some safety tips:
Always unplug electrical cords from all ancillary appliances. A plug can ignite even though the equipment is turned off. Any power surge or unforeseen problem with electricity can cause a fire.
Do not use electrical appliances near water and keep cords away from all heat sources.
Turn pot handles inward on the hot stove so as to avoid bumping into them accidentally and spilling their contents.
Kitchen Fire Safety tips
Extra care should be taken when working in the kitchen in order to avoid the onset of a fire. Here are some safety tips:
Do not place potholders, boxes, towels, cutting boards, or plastic utensils and containers near cooking areas.
Keep the kitchen work area clean, free from grease and burnt food. If you have a self-cleaning oven, remove large debris before turning it on.
Keep a box of baking soda on the kitchen counter while cooking as it can quickly put out a small kitchen fire if it is caught at its onset.
Make sure all appliances are in good working condition. At the first sign of a problem, have it fixed or get rid of it.
First responsibility
In the event of fire, your first responsibility is to evacuate as
quickly and as safely as possible. Attempts to extinguish the fire
should only be made when it is safe and practical to do so.
Common Fire Extinguisher types
Here are the most common types of fire extinguishers:
Water extinguishers or APW extinguishers (air-pressurized water) are suitable for class A fires only. Never use a water extinguisher on grease fires, electrical fires or class D fires - the flames will spread and make the fire bigger! Water extinguishers are filled with water and are typically pressurized with air. Again - water extinguishers can be very dangerous in the wrong type of situation. Only fight the fire if you're certain it contains ordinary combustible materials only.
Common Fire Extinguisher types
Dry chemical extinguishers come in a variety of types and are suitable for a combination of class A, B and C fires. These are filled with foam or powder and pressurized with nitrogen. There are two main types of dry chemical fire extinguishers:
BC - This is the regular type of dry chemical extinguisher. It is filled with sodium bicarbonate or potassium bicarbonate. The BC variety leaves a mildly corrosive residue which must be cleaned immediately to prevent any damage to materials.
ABC - This is the multipurpose dry chemical extinguisher. The ABC type is filled with mono-ammonium phosphate, a yellow powder that leaves a sticky residue that may be damaging to electrical appliances such as a computer.
Read instructions
Prior to using your fire extinguisher, be sure to read the instructions
before it’s too late. Although there are many different types of fire
extinguishers, all of them operate in a similar manner. It is vital to know what type of extinguisher you are using. Using the wrong type of extinguisher for the wrong type of fire can be life-threatening.
Pull the pin
Pull the pin at the top of the extinguisher. The pin releases a
locking mechanism and will allow you to discharge the extinguisher.
Aim at the base
Aim at the base of the fire, not the flames. This is important – in order to put out the fire, you must extinguish the fuel.
Squeeze & Sweep
Squeeze the lever slowly. This will release the extinguishing agent
in the extinguisher. If the handle is released, the discharge will stop.
Sweep from side to side. Using a sweeping motion, move the fire
extinguisher back and forth until the fire is completely out. Operate
the extinguisher from a safe distance, several feet away, and then move
towards the fire once it starts to diminish. Be sure to read the
instructions on your extinguisher – different extinguishers
recommend operation from different distances. Remember: Aim at the
base of the fire, not the flames!
Trapped
If someone is trapped in the building, the sooner trained personnel
arrive with the proper equipment, the better the odds of survival.
Reduce panic
Fire and disaster drills are an important part of emergency
preparedness. If properly executed, they can help to reduce panic when
an alarm sounds.
In order for drills to be effective, all escape routes should be
practiced frequently. Practice should be as realistic as possible, and
all practices should be taken seriously.
Reinforce skills
During drills, the most important considerations are how quickly the
building is evacuated, and did everyone respond to the alarm and go to
the assigned meeting place.
While there are many important reasons for conducting regular fire
and disaster drills, the most important reason for us is to continually
reinforce and enhance the evacuation skills of our consumers.
Teach consumers
We need to teach our consumers to evacuate the building if they see
or smell smoke, if they see fire, or hear a fire/smoke alarm. Be sure
that they do not rely on the prompting of staff to get out of harm’s
way.
Fire prevention
Fire prevention activities involve both the inside and outside of a building.
Outside
Check the landscape for potential hazards: accumulated trash or leaves.
Check for any hazards blocking exits: overgrown bushes blocking windows or fire escapes.
Locate and check all possible exits to make sure they are functional and that they also provide access for fire fighters.
Check yard for ease of access by fire fighters and equipment.
Check area for location of hydrants and other water sources: swimming pools, ponds, etc.
Identify a safe and accessible meeting place for fire drills and emergencies.
Inside
Check every possible means of escape, including hallways, windows,
fire escapes, porch roofs, etc., to become familiar with them and how
to train people to use them safely.
Make sure all possible exit routes inside the building are clear of
hazards and are easily followed. Each room should have AT LEAST TWO
ways out.
Check entire building for potential hazards such as flammable
liquids stored indoors or near a heat source, frayed wiring, piles of
rubbish. Energized electrical appliances should be unplugged after use.
Make sure television sets have adequate ventilation. Keep dryer
vents cleared of lint. Extension cords should be visible along their
entire length.
Cigarette butts should be disposed of properly.
Carbon Monoxide Hazards
The danger of carbon monoxide (CO) is not limited to a burning house. Your home may contain CO hazards.
CO hazards in the home include: blocked or clogged chimney;
fireplace (gas or wood burning); portable heaters; kitchen range or
stove; attached garage; grill used indoors; water heater; furnace
(vent, heat exchanger); clothes dryer; airtight, energy efficient home.
Carbon Monoxide Exposure
Exposure to low levels of carbon monoxide can produce flu-like symptoms: headache, nausea, fatigue and dizziness.
A carbon monoxide detector is your best defense. In a fire, victims
can be overcome by CO before they can respond to a smoke alarm.
Thank You!
The next page will begin the competency quiz. Be prepared to enter
your name, your e-mail address (optional but recommended) and either
the Training ID number from your I.D. badge or the last four digits of
your Social Security number. You will have 15 minutes to complete the
quiz. A score of 80% correct is required to receive credit for
completion.
